Blog Contra Cha-Cha

The Freedom of Speech, although a beautiful law that protects citizen to express concern against government corruption and allows us to state our opinion without fear,We as the citizen of our beloved country Philippines have the right to oppose the on going signature drive in Congress to amend the constitution.We the Filipino people is the fourth branches of government and our voices must be heard.

Start up your computer and start writing your opposition on this Charter Change. Web logging and blogging has long been praised and employed by members of the Arroyo opposition. Most would be surprised and should be concerned that many web log contributors are silent army armed only with laptops dispatched to people in our country. We does not carry badges identifying us as such. Its main mission is to voice our concern for our people and to our government.

Unfortunately for Filipinos living outside the Philippines, although highly educated, they rely heavily on Google and other search engines for information.The internet is wonderful tools exchanging information.

Those who read my blog I am a Filipino who has never advocated to bring down the Arroyo government through revolution or civil war and, indeed, continually speaks and writes against it.But, what this government doing is too much to bear, especially extending the illegitimate president term.

As some educated people, we live in the era of technology but that doesn’t mean the radicals believe in our actions. Too often, they form a judgment against us and condemn us for unfounded imaginary crimes, even before they question our motives.

What should we do with the regime when we return to Philippine? I say when we return because I am confident their end is near if we work systematically. The more optimistic opposition see the vulnerability of our people. Knowing the mindset how it uses the internet, we must remember the well being of our “Kababayan” should be first priority. The rule of law must prevail; otherwise our country will experience civil chaos similar to Iraq. We Filipinos must not engage in activities that hurt our culture and future.

I am calling those internet nerd to join me in opposing this Charter Change.You can join by signing in and your web on my site.–SAY NO TO CHA_CHA!!!!!

Although the constitution is not perfect, there is always room for amending it. But it should not be done at the time when there’s political insecurity. To push the constitutional change in whatever form, be it like dancing the cha-cha or rumba, it is rocking the foundation of the country. It is to our opinion being done in a wrong timing because there are very ripe speculations the Pasig river mafia will make use of constitutional amendments to perpetuate in power which the people will not accept.

House Minority Leader and San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora on Tuesday led a walk-out by the minority bloc from the House Justice committee hearing into the impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Zamora decided to walk out of the proceedings after Justice committee chair and Quezon City Rep. Matias Defensor refused to rule on the allegation by Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr that the impeachment complaint was “falsified,” saying the impeachment complaint was notarized on Oct. 10, 2008 before it was prepared on Oct. 11, 2008.

Zamora lamented that Barzaga’s allegation of falsification of the impeachment complaint exceeded the boundaries of propriety and fair play.

“This is a matter that involves not just private complainants but even members of the House of Representatives. This is a matter of the highest ethical and privileged issues. I am not content that we will be insulted in this form when we have been playing by the rules. We have been very careful in making sure that we have not exceed the boundaries of propriety, fair play… Otherwise you are not going to see any further cooperation from the members of my panel and we will leave this procedures right now,” Zamora said before walking out of the proceedings.

In refusing to rule on Barzaga’s accusation, Defensor said he is not competent to make a ruling on the matter and resolved for the proceedings to continue.

Following Zamora’s action, Pangasinan Rep. and former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr and Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III walked out of the session hall.

Similarly, party-list Representatives Liza Maza and Teodoro Casiño – who were among the panel members who argued that the impeachment complaint was sufficient in substance – walked out of the proceedings.

De Venecia called Barzaga’s accusation as an insult and smacks of the majority bloc’s attempt derail the impeachment complaint. De Venecia said he will consult with his colleagues in the minority on what action to take regarding the matter.

“Napakalaking insulto naman sa (This is a big insult to the) minority, sa mga complainants, at sa endorsers of the complainants. This alleged falsification of documents is way out of line. Talagang (It’s evident that) they’re trying to topple itong impeachment complaint,” De Venecia said.

As of posting time, the congressmen who walked out of proceedings – with the exception of De Venecia and Guingona – have returned to the hearing, while Barzaga has withdrawn his statement calling the impeachment complaint falsified.

Meanwhile, De Venecia’s son and one of the proponents of the impeachment complaint Jose III challenged Barzaga to press charges against him and prove that the impeachment complaint documents were falsified.

The younger De Venecia said he is prepared to meet Barzaga in court over his claims.

“Congressman Barzaga, I ask you to sue me in court for falsification of documents if he feels that way… Maglaban na lang kami sa korte,” the younger De Venecia said in a radio interview.

He also chided Barzaga for questioning the impeachment document when the House Justice committee already ruled that it was sufficient in form.

“He ruled as part of the Justice committee that this complaint is sufficient in form. It’s sufficient in form, it’s sufficient in form. Now he’s saying it’s not sufficient in form. So what is he trying to say?,” the younger De Venecia asked.

“Is he trying to kill the complaint right now? Can’t he just wait to debate this tomorrow. Anyway, they said they have the numbers, then kill it with the numbers. But don’t kill it with some stupid statement that we are falsifying documents,” he added. –

if there will be amendments in the constitution, as there certainly are provisions for it, i agree with JoeSeg that it should not be done at a time of political unrest and economic instability. besides, we all know who stand to benefit from it. certainly not the Filipinos as a whole but an elite few headed by the first family.

I remember, more than 8 years ago, while I was still a postulant of my community in Davao, a good number of the clergy and the religious supported the actions against Charter Change. We joined rallies, spoke scathing words on homilies, we raised placards and waved red flags while chanting and marching down the streets. Then a much-publized scandal forced Erap to leave Malacanang. Gloria was made the President. The end-result of our participation in that effort however was that fewer parishioners went to the Church, accusing the clergy for being “too political.”

Then there was a time when a bishop “cuddled” a certain whistleblower in San Carlos Seminary. The media came in and made a farce of the act of hospitality this certain bishop showed. What’s more, we at San Carlos Seminary weren’t even aware of the presence of this whistleblower inside the seminary compound and yet we’re again accused of violating the “sacred” separation of the Church and State. Benefactors for the education and spiritual formation of seminarians withdrew their support.

Then there was the case of probinsyanong intsik. Certain female congregations (nuns) decided to protect that intsik and suffered. Vocations in their communities dropped, they were oppressed in their missions and were generally laughed at. No one paid these nuns to help that intsik, it was purely voluntary. But media who had ways of making fun of the Church were relentless. You’ll just have to visit this intsik’s blog to see how media influenced the people in reacting over the participation of these well-meaning nuns.

I’m not speaking in behalf of the Church in the Philippines. I don’t speak for my congregation either. But I had read enough, heard enough, endured enough of that Church-bashing and its consequences in our mission. I am personally hurt by ignorant accusations regarding the Church, of it being “politicized” or the Church being “indifferent.” What do they mean by those anyway? We’re up to our necks on projects for the urban poor (housing, livelihood, health program, scholarships, I can make a list), and even almost lost in searching for fundings, and we’re politicized? we’re indifferent? Should anyone accuse the Church of being “uncomfortably political” it is because Christ himself was political. He was born and died within a great political drama, but raised up again at a promise of a better scenario.

I’m ranting, I know. I rarely comment on politics. Heck, I don’t even pretend to know much about politics. I know that I’m also guilty of making fun of religion, my blog attests to that. I just have my limits. The Church’s missions have suffered enough. Still, Cocoy, you have my support. If at least in prayers, I can be of help, then so be it. What is to be expected of this poor ignorant seminarian after all?